Fairbairn-Sykes fighting knife.

Commando knife with hilt of wood.
 

 

 

 

Text and pictures by
 Olof Janson unless otherwise stated

 

 

 

From left to right: Standard Pattern 3; Thin wood-hilted; Fat wood-hilted Commando knife

updated 2007-02-11

 

Wood-hilted Commando knife with thin grip.

 

 

 

This knife resembles the Pattern three very much except for the hilt which is made out of wood instead of an alloy.

Much has been written regarding the Wooden Hilt F-S Knife, but little is regarded as pure fact.

Some believe that they were made up from surplus wartime blades matted to a wood handle for Post-War surplus sales.  Dr. William Windrum believes they were made for tropical climates where the hands would become slippery.

Ron Flook proves in his book by showing a picture that they also have been used by the crews of airplanes. This was supported by Wilkinson-Latham who said that these knives were commercially sold to pilots and airplane crew members. These knives come with a large variety of hilt variations. Despite these hilt variations the one common feature found on these knives is a parallel-sided cross-guard.

There are normally no markings because these knives are private purchase. 

 

Wood-hilted Commando knife with a fat grip.

 

Wood-hilted Commando knife with a fat grip. Note the pommel nut is made of a disk

 

It has a completely different type of grip and it has scabbard that resembles that of a hunting knife. The pommel nut is made of a disk which is recessed in the pommel. This is a common way for French constructors to do (like The Avenger of 1870). Many of these knives were used by the French legion and even produced in France after the war.

I believe this is the reason why many think that all of them after produced after WW2. The construction is however influenced from France.

There was an article published in the Cartouches 1974. It was written by a Maurice Chauvet who served in the Intelligence section of No 4 commando during WW2. He presents a picture of this knife and say:

"No. 1V wood handle dagger, British made circa 1941 – 43. Very popular among Canadian troops and large purchases have been made by Canadian units. Steel blade, light metal cross guard, handles of light or dark wood. The tongue penetrates the handle and it is screwed with a copper locking disc. Scabbard is very rough, sewn and riveted." (from Knife World Nov 1998)

The balance is quite different from the original Fairbairn-Sykes Fighting knife. The knives don’t have much in common except for the shape of the blade.

These knives are rather rare.

 

 

Square Ebony hilted Commando knife.

Commando knife with a unusual square hilt of ebony.
There are several reports of this type.

This knife is reported in Ron Flook's book plate 159.

 

 

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Forming of Commandos
The Shanghai fighting knives

 

There are three basic modells of the F-S fighting knife.

First Pattern F-S Fighting knife

Second Pattern F-S Fighting knife

and Beaded and Ringed & Roped and Ringed

Third Pattern F-S Fighting knife
Beaded & Ringed - Roped & Ringed

Steel hilt and Different hilts

Wood handles.

OSS - “Pancake Flapper” and
US Marine Raider Stiletto

Sheaths

Marks

 

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I want to give special acknowledgement to these gentlemen,
who helped me in writing this article:   

Mike Silvey in USA  Tom Parker in Canada Roy Shadbolt in USA

 

 

References:
Alan W. Locken Commando 1940 - 1945
Robert A. Burlein Allied Military Fightingknives
Ron Flook British and Commonwealth military knives.
Fredrick J. Stephens Fighting Knives
Frank Trzaska The O.S.S. Stiletto - Knife World February 1998.
Frank Trzaska The Raider Stiletto - Knife World July 1997
Kelly Yeaton The First Commando Knives.
John Nowhill & son Sheffield
Wilkinson Sword Co.  
William L. Cassidy.  
Dr. William Windrum  The earliest commando knivesAllan W. Locken – Commando 1940 - 1945.

 

 

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